Angry Response to Delhi Lockdown

A woman braced herself against police water canons during a protest against the Indian government in Delhi, Dec. 23.

Shortly after news broke Saturday that the young victim of a gang-rape had died, authorities in Delhi closed metro stations and blocked roads in the center of the capital, stirring criticism.

Roads leading to India Gate, the scene of clashes between police and demonstrators last weekend, were closed to general traffic, and 10 Metro stations were shut.

“Why don’t you let people grieve? A govt which locks its doors and doesn’t let its people mourn or cry is no govt at all,” wrote Twitter user Gunjan Sharma.

Advertisement

Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde appealed for calm. “Please keep calm and silent. I know this is a great shock to the country,” he told television channel NDTV. “Again I appeal to youths and students and senior citizens not to come on the roads… We understand the youngsters’ feelings,” he added.

People will be allowed to gather at Jantar Mantar and Ramlila Maidan, Delhi Police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said, referring to two sites in Delhi that have become rallying points for protests, including last year’s anticorruption demonstrations.

“Condolence meeting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi at 11 am. No clue how I’ll get there, but I will. Join us?” wrote Twitter user Anja Kovacs.

Arjind Kejriwal, an activist and head of the recently launched Aam Aadmi party, said he would join the meeting. “Condolence meeting at Jantar Mantar at 11 am. Let’s all reach there,” he wrote on Twitter. Earlier Mr. Kejriwal said he and other party members would sit in silent protest with black cloth tied on their mouths at Jantar Mantar at 2p.m.

The clampdown on movement in the capital was greeted with consternation online.

“When a government needs to protect itself from the people, surely it has lost the right to govern,” wrote Twitter user Arunava Sinha.

About India Real Time

India Real Time offers analysis and insights into the broad range of developments in business, markets, the economy, politics, culture, sports, and entertainment that take place every single day in the world’s largest democracy. Regular posts from Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones Newswires reporters around the country provide a unique take on the main stories in the news, shed light on what else mattered and why, and give global readers a snapshot of what Indians have been talking about all week. You can contact the editors at indiarealtime(at)wsj(dot)com.